More than 31,000 drivers across the UAE received a financial uplift this Ramadan after Careem’s tip-matching campaign collected close to AED 6 million in combined contributions — a figure the company says exceeded its own projections.
The initiative, which ran from February 18 to March 31, committed Careem to matching any customer tip of AED 10 or above across its delivery, rides, and Hala taxi services at no extra charge to users. By the campaign’s close, over 160,000 individual tips had been matched, with some customers contributing upwards of AED 1,000 in total across the duration of the program.
CEO and co-founder Mudassir Sheikha credited users rather than the company for the campaign’s reach. “This Ramadan, our Captains became a vital lifeline for our cities, but they didn’t do it alone,” he said. “I am deeply grateful to the customers who became partners in our mission of serving our communities. Your generosity towards Captains in the form of tips was a powerful act of recognition for the Captains’ hard work. We were honored to match your contributions, but the spark came from you. Thank you for letting us be part of your journey of giving and for helping us ensure that those who serve our community are rewarded for their tireless service and resilience.”
Separate from the financial component, Careem distributed more than 10,000 Iftar meals throughout the Emirates, coordinating the effort with the Roads and Transport Authority and other partner organizations. The company also held a series of Iftar gatherings specifically for delivery drivers during the Holy Month.
The meal distributions and gatherings were framed by Careem as part of a broader effort to extend recognition to drivers beyond monetary compensation.
